If Your Professional Time Is Not 100% Billable, Then You Need To Be Doing This
A great way to build your practice is to start out doing pro bono work. Pro bono work has a number of different advantages. First, it helps new practitioners (or those looking to break into a new field of law) gain valuable experience that you can't get by reading a book. By being able to show that you have actually practiced in the area you are looking to work in, you gain credibility. Another advantage of pro bono work is the opportunity to network. By doing pro bono work in a specific area of law, you are then able to meet other practitioners in the area youd like to practice in. Getting your name out there is a great way to gain referrals, additional work, and even employment opportunities. Reputable pro bono organizations also offer mentoring and resources that provide you with great opportunities to learn even more.
There is another choice of you dont want to work for free in order to gain experience and build your practice. Sliding scale and reduced rate services can be made available to those potential clients who are resourceful enough to seek it out. These type of services are usually made available to clients who are of limited means and unable to afford an attorney at their normal rate. Many solo practitioners have found this work to be their bread and butter, at least when they were first getting started. Your fees can be a straight reduction of your hourly rate, a capped flat fee, or a fee based on the income of the potential client.
So where then, do you find these opportunities? Pro bono work is available almost everywhere you look. Nonprofit organizations frequently require help. Bar associations usually have established pro bono programs, and directories of organizations that need help. There are even established pro bono organizations that do legal work internally. As for sliding scale work, it depends on the type of work that you want to do. The courts typically have assigned counsel cases for the criminally indigent. The courts also have legal guardian, guardian ad litem, and court evaluator trainings and accreditation, affording a number of opportunities to you. Many nonprofit legal funds also maintain their own lists of attorneys willing to work for a reduced rate or on a sliding scale. Try to get on their lists. Finally, a targeted search on the internet, or contacting your local bar association is sure to put you in touch with the right entity for your needs. Good luck!
Jack McDonough is a Colorado CPA, speaker, coach, author, and consultant to professionals in the legal and accounting industries who desire to make more money while working less hours. Jack is President of Wealthy Professionals LLC. http://www.wealthyprofessionals.comEveline Blog53272
Frannie Blog21309
There is another choice of you dont want to work for free in order to gain experience and build your practice. Sliding scale and reduced rate services can be made available to those potential clients who are resourceful enough to seek it out. These type of services are usually made available to clients who are of limited means and unable to afford an attorney at their normal rate. Many solo practitioners have found this work to be their bread and butter, at least when they were first getting started. Your fees can be a straight reduction of your hourly rate, a capped flat fee, or a fee based on the income of the potential client.
So where then, do you find these opportunities? Pro bono work is available almost everywhere you look. Nonprofit organizations frequently require help. Bar associations usually have established pro bono programs, and directories of organizations that need help. There are even established pro bono organizations that do legal work internally. As for sliding scale work, it depends on the type of work that you want to do. The courts typically have assigned counsel cases for the criminally indigent. The courts also have legal guardian, guardian ad litem, and court evaluator trainings and accreditation, affording a number of opportunities to you. Many nonprofit legal funds also maintain their own lists of attorneys willing to work for a reduced rate or on a sliding scale. Try to get on their lists. Finally, a targeted search on the internet, or contacting your local bar association is sure to put you in touch with the right entity for your needs. Good luck!
Jack McDonough is a Colorado CPA, speaker, coach, author, and consultant to professionals in the legal and accounting industries who desire to make more money while working less hours. Jack is President of Wealthy Professionals LLC. http://www.wealthyprofessionals.comEveline Blog53272
Frannie Blog21309
posted by toxic70554 at 1:17 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home